Contribution of Leg Muscle Power on Sand to the Effectiveness of Beach Volleyball Players' Attacks

Abstrak

This study aims to examine the contribution of leg muscle explosive power on sand to the effectiveness of attacks performed by beach volleyball players. A quantitative approach with a correlational research design was employed to objectively analyze the relationship between physical capacity and technical performance. The research subjects consisted of 12 female athletes from the Indonesian National Beach Volleyball Team, selected using purposive sampling to ensure relevance to elite competitive performance. Leg muscle explosive power was assessed through standardized physical tests conducted directly on sand to reflect the biomechanical demands of beach volleyball, while attack effectiveness was evaluated using indicators of attack success, accuracy, and overall attack quality during game-based situations. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, assumption testing, and inferential statistical procedures. The results of the normality test indicated that the data were normally distributed (p > 0.05), meeting the requirements for parametric analysis. Although the homogeneity assumption was not fulfilled (p < 0.05), data analysis was adjusted using the Greenhouse–Geisser correction. Hypothesis testing revealed a significant improvement in attack effectiveness (p = 0.021), accompanied by a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.362). These findings demonstrate that increases in leg muscle explosive power on sand are strongly associated with enhanced attack effectiveness in beach volleyball athletes. From a physiological perspective, the improvement in attack performance is supported by neuromuscular adaptations, including enhanced recruitment of type II muscle fibers and greater efficiency of anaerobic energy systems, which facilitate higher, more explosive, and more stable jumps on an unstable sand surface. In conclusion, leg muscle explosive power on sand is a key determinant of attack effectiveness in beach volleyball. Therefore, sand-based, sport-specific training programs should be prioritized to optimize attack performance and competitive outcomes.